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rhumb

 - 3 dictionary results

rhumb

  [ruhm, ruhmb]
Use rhumb in a Sentence
–noun Navigation.
1. rhumb line.
2. a point of the compass.
Origin:
1570–80; < Sp rumbo < L rhombus rhombus

rhumb line

 
–noun
a curve on the surface of a sphere that cuts all meridians at the same angle. It is the path taken by a vessel or aircraft that maintains a constant compass direction.
Also called loxodrome, rhumb.

Origin:
1660–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rhumb
rhumb   (rŭm, rŭmb)   
n.  

  1. A rhumb line.

  2. One of the points of the mariner's compass.


[Possibly from Spanish or Portuguese rumbo, course, direction, ultimately from Latin rhombus, rhombus; see rhombus.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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